by Annie Korp
Giving Tuesday is the philanthropic outlet for all the money you’ll save when you shop the sales on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. You’ve saved and now you can pass those savings forward and donate on Giving Tuesday! Here’s how to ensure your hard-earned donation makes the most impact:
- Find a cause you’re passionate about
Here at Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), we are passionate about funding innovative and life-saving childhood cancer research. Especially because less than 4% of the federal budget for cancer research goes toward childhood cancers.
- Do your homework
Once you’ve found an organization that aligns with your passions, research it to make sure your donation will be effective. Start by searching its website to find out how your donation will be used. At ALSF, the generous support from donors goes toward accelerating breakthrough research by funding clinical trials. It also helps families by providing funding for travel so that they can reach these clinical trials. You can do extra research by using websites that evaluate charities, like Charity Navigator or Guidestar. FYI: ALSF was recently named a top medical research charity by Charity Navigator.
- Get social
Giving Tuesday grew into a movement because of its social media presence. From the use of creative hashtags (or #GivingTuesday) to “unselfies,” everyone wants to share how they are participating in Giving Tuesday. ALSF makes it even easier! Here’s how to start your own Facebook fundraiser in support of the Foundation. Don’t forget to follow ALSF on Facebook to see exclusive Giving Tuesday content, featuring childhood cancer hero Eli!
Giving Tuesday happens once a year, but you can turn your charitable giving into a habit and you won’t even have to wait to make it a New Year’s Resolution. On Giving Tuesday, resolve to make a difference all year long! You can join ALSF’s One Cup at a Time Club, to sign up for a recurring gift; which means your impact grows as well!
Make this unofficial start to the giving season a memorable one. If you decide to make ALSF your charity of choice on Giving Tuesday, know that your donation will have twice the impact, thanks to the generous support of Country Time who is matching all donations on November 27.
